ENERGY-EXPENDITURE AND PHYSIOLOGICAL-RESPONSES DURING INDOOR ROCK CLIMBING

Objectives-To report the physiological responses of indoor rock climbi ng. Methods-Fourteen experienced climbers (nine men, five women) perfo rmed three climbing trials on an indoor climbing wall. Subjects perfor med three trials of increasing difficulty: (a) an easy 90 degrees vert ical wall, (b) a moderately difficult negatively angled wall (106 degr ees), and (c) a difficult horizontal overhang (151 degrees). At least 15 minutes separated each trial. Expired air was collected in a Dougla s bag after four minutes of climbing and heart rate (HR) was recorded continuously using a telemetry unit. Arterialised blood samples were o btained from a hyperaemised ear lobe at rest and one or two minutes af ter each trial for measurement of blood lactate. Results-Significant d ifferences were found between trials for HR, lactate, oxygen consumpti on (Vo(2)), and energy expenditure, but not for respiratory exchange r atio. Analysis of the HR and Vo(2) responses indicated that rock climb ing does not elicit the traditional linear HR-Vo(2) relationship chara cteristic of treadmill and cycle ergometry exercise. During the three trials, HR increased to 74-85% of predicted maximal values and energy expenditure was similar to that reported for running at a moderate pac e (8-11 minutes per mile). Conclusions-These data indicate that indoor rock climbing is a good activity to increase cardiorespiratory fitnes s and muscular endurance. In addition, the traditional HR-Vo(2) relati onship should not be used in the analysis of this sport, or for prescr ibing exercise intensity for climbing.